After more than six weeks of partial closure, the US Senate has approved a sweeping funding bill aimed at reopening the federal government, bringing relief to millions affected by the 41-day shutdown which was the longest in American history.
The legislation, which now heads to the House of Representatives for approval, extends government funding through January 2026 and restores salaries and employment for thousands of furloughed federal workers. Once cleared by the House, it will go to President Donald Trump for his signature.
Senate leaders struck a late-night compromise after days of tense negotiations. The bill passed by a 60-40 vote, with eight Democrats crossing party lines to support the measure. As part of the deal, Republicans agreed to hold a separate vote by mid-December on extending health care tax benefits which is a key Democratic demand that had stalled talks for weeks.
Bipartisan deal paves way for swift reopening
However, the concession drew criticism from parts of the Democratic base. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the compromise “fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis.” He added, “Democrats demanded that we find a way to fix this crisis quickly, but Republicans refused to move an inch.”
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has called lawmakers back to Washington for a possible vote later this week. Republican leaders said they expect Trump to sign the measure promptly once it reaches his desk.
The shutdown had forced the closure of national parks, delayed federal payments, disrupted air travel, and strained multiple sectors of the US economy. With the new agreement in place, essential operations and services are expected to resume within days of enactment.
